Japanese Magic Lantern Workshop and Matinee

On Wednesday, April 20, the Minwa-za Company of Tokyo illuminated International House's Assembly Hall with a workshop and matinée of the lost art of magic lantern performance, utsushi-e. During the workshop, students from the Lab School constructed lanterns (furo) and slides (taneita) to project brightly colored moving images. Afterwards, Minwa-za enchanted students, teachers and parents with a performance. Utsushi-e was introduced in Japan around 1800, but began to fall out of favor by the end of the 19th century. The Minwa-za Company rediscovered the art of utsushi-e in the 1970s, and spent years researching and learning the traditional techniques. During Minwa-za's weeklong residency at the University of Chicago, they shared the art of utsushi-e in a series of workshops, lectures, and performances for students and community members. PhD candidate Artemis Willis, organized the company's visit and the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, the Center for East Asian Studies, and the University of Chicago Arts Council sponsored the residency.




To see the final performance, go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wCUBhhdiU9w

Category:

Film & Animation

Tags:

• japan
• minwa-za
• uchicago
• east asian studies
• cinema
• animation
• cinema and media studies
• magic lantern
• lantern slides
• utushi-e
• education
• precinema
• anime

[SteamAlchemist]

Great work